Boxmaking machine



Jan. 1, 1952 w. B. LEAVENS, JR

BOXMAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1949 IN V EN TOR. JiQZZiMEZMfi M1,

Hair-xi? Jan. 1, 1952 w. B. LEAVENS, JR

BOXMAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1949 I I INVENTOR. .[IQ'Z [iamfi .Zaazvs, 6/1

11 ozweg Jan. 1, 1952 w. B. LEA-VENS, JR

BOXMAKING MACHINE 5 Sheejts-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 22, 1949 Jan. 1, 1952 w. B. LEAVENS, JR

BOXMAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed OCt. 22, 1949 INVENTOR. 11 3;115:2013. leazms,

m Jmrng Jan. 1, 1952 w. B. LEAVENS, JR 2,580,562

BOXMAKING MACHINE F iled Oct 22, 1949 5 Sheets$heec 5 ll I,

lel rows thereof along the length of the endless chain assembly of the form blocks.

The endless chain assembly of form blocks II is mounted in the machine so as to preferably extend horizontally and lengthwise thereof, and to this end the machine is provided with suitably supported transverse shafts l5 and I6, one of which is adapted to be power driven. Fixed on the shaft I!) are sprocket wheels [1, and fixed on the shaft 16 are like sprocket wheels l8. Mounted on the hinge pins M of the lapped hinging tongues I2, by which the form blocks H are pivotally interconnected, are antifriction rollers [9 which are adapted to be engaged by the sprocket wheels I! and [8, whereby to drive the endless chain assembly of form blocks.

As thus supported and driven, the endless chain assembly of form blocks is arranged, to.

provide an upper outgoing straight course or run of form blocks extending from the sprocket wheels I! to the sprocket wheels I8, and a lower return straight course or run thereof extending from the sprocket wheels l8 back to the sprocket wheels 11. As the form blocks ll move into and along said straight courses or runs, the same will :close together'in closely contiguous side by side relation, so that box material disposed intermediate adjacent form blocks, thus closed together, will be gripped by and between said adjacent form blocks, as will later herein be more fully explained. As the form blocks of the endless iii chain assembly thereof move around the sprockv ets I I and [8, adjacent form blocks will be caused to separate one from another, in the manner clearly to be understood from an inspection of Fig. 2; When thus separated, individual form blocks are segregated so as to facilitate operative application thereto of a box blank to be formed about the same.

Suitably supported by the machine framework,

to extend longitudinally between the sprocket wheels I! and I8, are track plates 20. These track plates are provided, along their top mar-. ginal portions, with upper trackways 2| upon turn straight course or run thereof.

The machine is adapted to form boxes from box blanks which are suitably formed and scored for manipulation of their parts so as to dispose the same in desired box forming relation.

An illustrative form of box blank adapted to be manipulated by the machine operations isshown in Fig; 10, and comprises a bottom panel A, side panels B and C, end panels D extending from bottom panel A, and end flaps E which respectively extend from respective ends of the side panels B and C.

Preparatory to supplying the box blanks to the machine, subject to the box forming operations thereof, the side panels B and C are folded beneath the bottom panel A in superposed relation thereto and to each other, as shown in Fig. 2. When thus initially folded, the box blanks are stacked in a magazine, whichis disposed at the receiving end of the machine. The box blanks are subject to successive withdrawal from the magazine by properly timed means which is 0D- 'erative to unfold and spread the side panels B and C of a withdrawn box blank, and then to carry said box blank to a position to be engaged and taken up by a form block II which is sep arated from its fellows, and which is moving to join the upper outgoing straight course or run of the endless chain assembly of form blocks and so as to be thereby carried forward subject to box forming manipulation.

An illustrative form of box blank magazine, as shown, is aligned with and suitably spaced relative to the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks H. This magazine comprises side walls 23 which are laterally spaced apart so as to accommodate the initially folded box blanks in longitudinal extension therebebetween, when said box blanks are stacked in the magazine. Connected with the low-er ends of the magazine side walls 23 are inwardly projecting tapered ledges 24 (see Fig. 3) which are engaged by the free end portions of the end panels D of the bottommostbox blank, thus upwardly inclining said end panels D so that the side panels B and C with their end flaps E are unsupported, and tend to swing down somewhat from the plane of the bottom panel A so as to be slightly spaced from the'latter, whereby means for withdrawing the bottommost box blank from the magazine can enter between the ends of its bottom panel A and the underlying side panels B and C, as will be subsequently explained.

From the lower end of the magazine, said tapered ledges 24, together with guide bars 25, extend toward and terminate adjacent to the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks (see Fig. 1), thus providing guides along which withdrawn box ,blanks may move, when transported from the magazine, and whereby the box blanks are held against longitudinal shift or displacement until operatively deposited upon a form block II. The means for withdrawing box blanks from the magazine, and transporting the same for engagement by and deposit on a form block II of the endless chain assembly of form blocks, comprises mechanisms respectively supported by the machine framework adjacent to the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of .form blocks, and respectively adjacent to opposite sides of the box blank supply magazine. Said mechanisms being alike in structure, description of one thereof will comprehend the other, corresponding parts of each being identified in the drawings by like reference numerals. Each said mechanism comprises a housing 26 supported .by the machine framework. Mounted in the top of the housing 26 is a turntable 21 which projects through an opening 28 in the top wall 29 of said housing. Mounted on the turntable 21, in diametrically spaced apart relation, are box blank pickup carriers 30 and 3|. These box blank pickup carriers are adapted to be revolved by the turntable 21, and thus caused to be advanced toward the box blank magazine so as to enter beneath the bottom panel and between the side panels of the bottommost box blank in said magazine, thereupon being operative to withdraw the thus engaged box blank from the magazine,

j and then carry it forward into the path of a rising individual form block II at the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks. To assure functioning in this manner, the pickup carriers are so controlled, as they revolve with the turntable, as to be constantly maintained parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engaged box blank.

H Suitable power transmission is provided for revolving the turntable 2! and controlling the a sesses positions or thepickup 'carriers as aforesaid, while theelatter revolvewiththe 'turnta-biel- Such transmission'is-subject to variation inform andfiarrangementr An illustrative form and arrangement 'of -such powertransmissionyas shown, isas ronowsr Supported"bra -bearing 32 within the interior or the 'h'ousingffl "is a perpendicular hollow shaft "across which said Shafts 34 "extend; Extending upwardly through the hollow shaft 33 and into "the'chamber35 of the turntable is ashaft 36.

Fixed uporrshaftBG within'the turntable chamber-"is a pickup carrier "control gear 31 "which meshes with respective pinions 38- withwhich thesupportingshafts 34"ofthe pickup carriers arezprovided. The shaft ofthe receiving end of the endless chain assemblyof form blocks extends transversely through the housings 26, being journaled'in bearings 39 "with which the latter are provided. Said shaft l5 functions as a drive shaft for'the turntableand pickup carrier transmissions; ShaftiS transmitsits motion through gearing 40=-4l toap'erpendicular lay shaft which is 'Journaled in thehousing 26; Said lay shaft 42 transmitsits motion through gearing 43'44 to a countershaft 45"which also journaled in the housing "26. The hollow shaft 33, by which the turntable 21 is revolved;is driven from said countershaft 45 by gearing 46-4'l, and shaft 36, by which the pickup'carriercontrol gear 31 is rotated; is' alsoiclriven' from said countershaft 45 bygearing 48-49. The respective drive gearing forthe turntable and forfcontrol of the pickup carriers .are so relatively sized that, as the turntable 21 is revolved, the pickup carriers will be simultaneously rotated relative to the turntable in such timedrelatiorrtheretoas to maintain the pickup carriers, inall positions thereof; parallel to the longitudinal axesof the box blanks upon" which they operate. It will also be understoodthat the transmissionby which the turn- .table is revolved is so designed'as to assure properly timed in and out movements of the pickup carriers relative, to the-speed of movement of the endlesschain assembly'of form blocks.

Each pickup carrier and 3| is suitably 'shaped vto enter "the ends of abottommost box blank of a stackthereof containedin the magazine, and then to'spread apart'theside panels B and C of the engaged box blank while advancing the latter to a point opposed to an approaching individual form block II,- as said form block moves around the-sprockets IT, in manner to be separated from its adjacent fellows, on its way to the outgoing straight course or run of the endless chainas'semblyof form blocks; To this end, each 'pi'ckupwarrier comprises a body which projects horizontally inward from its shaft supported connection with the turntable 21. The body is provided with-a flat top face 50 which lies in a saidbody, andwith an inclined rearward side, edge '52 converging toward said straight forward side edge, thus providing a relatively narrow tapered tip portion 53.

The underside 54 "of the form :blocks; are .:a .'.series of .rollers 26:! ,by-whieh thie box blanks on: the :pickup carrierssundergoizig end por tionor said body is rearwardly and downwardlyinclined 0rundercut; "so that the tip portion 53 is of wedge shape in longitudinal vertical section, thus providing "said tip portion with a relatively sharp leading edge. i As thus shaped, the -free end 'porti'on oi the body :is met only well adapted-to enter the ends ot-a-folded-box blank lodged 'at thebottom ofthe sup'p'ly maga- Withdrawingthe same I from said magazine; is further adapted, by engagement of the side margins 1 of undercut underside 54:: with :the side panels B- andfc of the box blank,- to outwardly spreadsaid side panels. The forward: and rear-- ward 'sides 55 and -56 of the bodyg which extend back fromthe freeend portion thereon are adapted, upon-further; penetration :"o't 't'he body into an end of an: engaged b'ox :blank, tolsu-pport the sidepanels of the box blank in saidoutwardly spread opened out positions see Figa '2). Mounted on the io'rward side 55 or the nbo'dytis a forwardly projecting clipl 51 r of suitable crosssectional shape-and: or suitable: material, which, as the body enters an ;;end of a boxeblanktand spreads side panels, will engageoversthe=out- Asia-further safeguard againstaecidentalshifitvide'd for cooperation with thezpickupycarriers andv the boxzblankrreceivlngl form blocks. This hold xdownlmeans .may be 01 any suitable :form' :or

.Ikindwvhich: is adapted toexert holddownpressure upon thexicarried. box blanks. illustrative form; ofzsuch hold; down means, as shown, comprises .a transverse pivot rod 58 twhichisrdisposed above andacross :themutgoing straight :course or run: of the endless :chain assembly of iformwblocks,

on said carrier bar. '6il,l-so as to :be suitably "located between the 'boxxblank supplymagazine and-the receivinglenrlrzof .theuendless 'chainxassemblyx 'of deposit *o'noa formrrblock I I; will. be i engaged;:end held down wagai-nst upwardl displacement; Also mounted on said 1 carrier: bar "69;: betweem the sam'e and the=pivot rod-58lare carrier bar-supto the-underlyingmechanisms as erg: to remove therefrom a defective boxblank;

In the operation of the 'machinepwhen' pickup carriers advance asp'read boxblank-to-a-poir1t Iwhichppposes the same-to the path or *a rising individual form block 'II at the receiving end of the endlesschain assembly of form blocks, the

relative movements of the turntable revolved pickup carriers and the rising or advancing form block I l are so timed that the withdrawing movement of the pickup carriers will accompanythe panel of the entered "box blank, "the pickup 'carriers will have fully withdrawn from beneath said bottom panel, and out of the path of onward movement of the form block, whereupon the box .blank is operatively deposited upon said form 1 block, andis then carried thereby to enter there- 7 with upon the upper outgoing course or run of the endless chain assembly of form blocks.

As a box blank bearing form block ll enters upon the upper outgoing straight course or run of the endless chain assembly of form blocks, it will closeupon a preceding box blank bearing form block, so as to firmly grip or clamp the intervening side panels of the borne box blanks between, the contiguous sides of the thus closed It will be obvious from together form blocks. an inspection of Fig. 2 that, as box blank bearing form blocks move along their straight courses 'orruns, the box blanks will not only be firmly gripped and clamped thereto against shift or displacement while end flaps and end panels of the blanks are undergoing folding and gluing operations and glue setting, but also the side panels B and C of the blanks will be immovably held in .close hugging and straight or non-bulging relation to the form blocks, whereby to assure proper symmetrical folded disposition of the side flaps infolding the end flaps E of the form block carried box blanks, then applying glue to the end panels D of said blanks, and thereafter downfolding said end panels for adherence to the infolded end flaps E. These devices are of more or less conventional forms which, in principle, are well known to the art. As shown (see Fig. 1), these devices comprise end flap folder rails or plates 63; glue applicator rolls 64 and their glue supply reservoirs 65; and end panel turning plows 66. The glue applicator rolls 64 are mounted on drive shafts 61 which are journaled in the reservoirs 65, said shafts and rolls being driven by belt and pulley transmission means 68 from the shaft I5, or in any other suitable or convenient manner. As a form block carried box blank is tions are disposed to engage the outwardly extending trailing end flaps E of the box blank which is entering between the rails or plates 63, whereby, as the pickup carriers move forward to dispose a box blankcarried thereby in position i to be engaged by and deposited upon a next succeeding form block, said fingers or blades 69 will inturn the trailing end flaps E of the box blank on the preceding form block, so that the thus infolded trailing end flaps will pass behind and thereupon be held infolded by the rails or plates .63 (see Fig. 1).

The end panels D of the form block carried bo'x blank extend above and outwardly over the end flap folder rails or plates 63, and thus present their under or inner faces for glue receiving contact with the peripheries of the glue applicator rolls 64, as the same are advanced across the latter. After receiving application of glue, said end panels D, as the form block carried box blank continues its advance, are passed in engagement with the plows 66, by which the same are down-turned across the infolded end flaps E to which said end panels are adhered by the glue, and thus secured with said end flaps in box end forming position.

Contiguous to the respective sides of the upper outgoing course or run and of the lower return course or run of the endless chain assembly of form blocks, and so as to extend between the above described box end forming devices and the outer end of the latter, are means to retain the parts of the box end formations against displacement or separation while the glue'which secures the same together is setting. "Here again, such retainer means may be varied in form and arrangement, but preferably comprises 'driven belts having their operative coursesor r'uns opposed to the ends of the moving form blocks and boxes formed thereon asv said form blocks traverse their straight courses or runs. The said retainer belts comprise upper belts 10 contiguous to respective sides of the upper outgoing "course or run of the form blocks, and lower belts'll contiguous to respective sides of the lower return course or run of the form blocks. The upper belts T0 are supported by and run between inner pulleys l2 and outer pulleys 13, and the lower belts H are supported by and run between inner pulleys 14 and outer pulleys 15. In a preferred arrangement, as shown, the inner pulleys i2 and 14 are idler pulleys which are rotatably mounted on carrier bracket structures 16 suitably supported in connection with the machine framework, as e. g. by attachment to outer sides of the track plates 20 (see Fig. 5). The 'outer pulleys l3 and 15 are drive pulleys by which the belts are actuated. The respective shafts Tl and 18 of said outer pulleys T3 and '15 are journaled in respective upper and lower bearings 19 and of gear boxes or housings 8f which "a are suitably supported in connection with the machine framework. The shaft l6 of the outer end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks is journaled transversely through the gear, boxes or housings BI, and functions as a power shaft for driving the pulleys 13 and 15 through suitable intermediate transmission ,means. Such trans mission means, in an illustrative form'thereof as shown, comprises countershafts 82 which are journaled in bearings 83 provided in' the outer side walls of the gear boxes or housingsflBl. These countershafts are driven from the shaft 15 by gearing 84-435. Fixed on the countershafts 83 are drive pinions 86. The drive pinions 85 mesh with upper driven pinions 81 which are fixed on the shafts 11 of the upper outer pulleys l3, and also mesh with lower driven pinions 88 which are fixed on the shafts 18 of the lower outer pulleys 15. It will be obvious that, by the described transmission gearing 86-31-88, the operative courses of the upper belts 10 will be driven in directions corresponding to the outgoing movement of the upper course or run .of the form blocks, while the operative courses; of the lower belts II will be driven in directions corresponding to the ingoing or return movement of the lower course or run of the form blocks. The gearing ratios of said transmissions are such that the speeds of the belts correspond to the speed of the endless chain assembly of form blocks.

.Iorm block l I .is provided with .means operable to remove. a finished box. therefrom- Means. for this purpose. in an illustrative form thereof as .shown, comprises a pair of- .kickoif levers 88 which are pivotally mounted within the form .block interior to respectively: extend toward the'opposite ends of the form block, and so as to normally lie flush with the top thereof, subject to outswinging movement therefrom. Unitary with and extending from the innerends of the kickofialevers :89, .to project downwardly through openings inlthe bottom. of the form.block, are bell-crank arms-90. Mounted on the free ends of said -.bellcrank arms 90 are anti-friction rollers -9l. Extending around and between the shafts l'-5-ancl H; of the endless chain assemblyof form -blocks, within and'concentricxto the circuit of the-'latteryis araceway means by which the bell-crank -arms 90 of the kickoff levers .89 are controlled. Said raceway means is formed by end members :92 :and 93 1 respectively mounted around-the: shafts l5 and I6. These end :memberstare provided withlaterally spaced :fianges M whichare continued by correspondingly spaced wAt a: convenient .locationwithin the circuit:

of: the raceway, means: is provided formoving the bell-.cranktarms: flfl whereby toroutswing the-kickofitleversrflwand.by=such movement of the latter... tot exert outward mthrust' against the bottom panelzfiA' of :a finished box, thereby to. pushnor kickfoft saidfbox: from the form block upon" which itmawasrshaped. The :means'for this purpose is preierablyiiprovided in? connection with therraceway en'drmember 92,rat;a point iwherexthe endless chain-tiassembly'of form blocks '"makes its I upward turn out of the return course or run thereof. 'LSuch location-permits saidreturn course orrun 'of .thefformrblocks to 'beuti-lized'fsowas to protiide additionalltimei ior isettingsofi the glued:

and structures of the-formed. 'boxes'before said boxesiare discharged' from the formblocks. It will beiunderstood; however; that the :kickofi con troluneansi can, "if desired, "be "provided: con. nection with: the outer: racewayiend: member 93, omtntsmy otheridesiredpart of the raceway struc tu-re; illustrative formofwkickoff control meansias 'showntmore particularly "i'rrFig. 7,0011).-

prisesaa :scam ffb'lock :"Sdvwhlch .1 is affixed to the underside on the? raceway'r'endrmember-921 The sides rofxthis "cam? block 96: converge "upon its respectivez ends-sand the flanges 94-of the. raceway-endrmember 92 are provided with outwardly bowed-"sectionsfl'l which "conformi-ngly parallel the: sidesrsof' said cam block- 95,-thus providing intermediate camming channels:- 98 through which. the" respective bell-crank arms and "rollers. of each formvblbckare moved. .'AS' the bell-crank arms andrrrollers move. through: said camming channels, the samewwill be outswung, thus-outswinging: thetkickoiflevers 89 from the dorm block servedrthereby, whereby toremove the finished box'r'f rom thelatter (see Figs. 2.. 3 and 'l). As therbell-crank arms and rollers move away from the'cam block'BB, thesame. are immediately retumedatonormal inswung positions, sothat the kickoff levers .89 .are. withdrawn into the form block served. thereby. ..This.occurs well before the.

any suitable means may be provided forrecepl0 The .conveyer may be driven in any suitable tion. of the dischargedfinished boxes. ample, an. endless conveyer belt 99 (see Figs. 2 and. 3) may be. utilized to receive and carry away discharged. boxes to a desired, collection point.

manner, either from a movingshaft of themachine; or independently of the machine.

Either. shaft l5. or shaft l 6 of the endless chain assembly of form blocks may be utilized as a machine drive shaft, andpower from a suitable source may be transmitted thereto by. any. convenient power transmission means.

From .the above itwill .be understood that the present invention provides box making mechanism which is of theconiinuous motion. type, and. thus. adapted. to .provide rapid and. continuous output Qfnnished boxes, and. yet, due to the novel control. of the boxmaking material exercised by the mechanism,and especially by the.

interconnect isaid form blocks one with another whereby tohiorm can endless chain assembly thereon-means to: support and drive said endless chain assembly ofd'orm blocks for'continuous movement through-a circulatory'path defined bye. straightoutgoingrcourseand a returncourse, said courses being connected at theirends by semi-circular courses. leading from one .to the othenther'eof, the pivotal connections between said form blocks being such that adjacent. form blocks close together in box blank material gripping relation-as they'enter and move through said straight outgoing course but separate tone from anotherwhen' they move through a semicircular-*courseleading to said outgoing course, means to -position box blanks for engagement by thus separatedform clocks for deposit thereupon; and over the sides thereof priorto movement oi the latter intothe outgoing straight course thereof, means contiguous to the ends of the' 'formblocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereoffoperative to in fold and secure-projecting end portions of the box blanks about the form block. ends, means carried 'by the *form blocks operative to discharge formed boxes from the form blocks when the latter are disposed in separated relation, and means-located in the path of movement of saidform blocksforactuating said discharge means.

2. In a machine of the character described, a mul'tiplicityof form blocks, means to pivotally interconnect said form blocksone with another whereby to form an endless chain assembly thereoflmeansto support and drive said endless chain assembly of form blocks for continuous movement through a circulatory path defined by a straight. outgoing course and a return course, said -coursesbeing connected at their ends by semi-circularcourses leading from one to the For exother thereof, the pivotal connections between said form blocks being such that adjacent form blocks close together in box blank material gripping relation as they enter and move through said straight outgoing course but separate one from another when they move through a semicircular course leading to said outgoing course, means to position box blanks for engagement by thus separated form blocks for deposit thereupon and over the sides thereof prior to movement of the latter into the outgoing straight course thereof, means contiguous to the ends of the form blocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereof, operative to infold projecting end portions of the box blanks about the form block ends, means for applying glue to one of said end portions for adhering the same, when infolded, to other infolded end portions, and driven belts beyond said folding and glue applying means having courses thereof contiguous to sides of and moving with the straight outgoing course of the form blocks for retaining said end portions in infolded positions while the glue sets.

3. In a machine of the character described, a multiplicity of form blocks, means to pivotally interconnect said form blocks one with another whereby to form an endless chain assembly thereof, means to support and drive said endless chain assembly of form blocks for continuous movement through a circulatory path defined by a straight outgoing course and a return course",

said courses being connected at their ends by semi-circular courses leading from one to the other thereof, the pivotal connections between said form blocks being such that adjacent form It blocks close together in box blank material gripping relation as they enter and move through said straight outgoing course but separate one from another when they move through a semicircular course leading to said outgoing course, means to position box blanks for engagement by thus separated form blocks for deposit thereupon and over the sides thereof prior to movement'of the latter into the outgoing straight course thereof, means contiguous to the ends of the form blocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereof, operative to infold projecting end portions of the box blanks about the form block ends, means for applying glue to one of said end portions for adhering the same, when infolded, to other infolded end portions, means beyond said folding and glue applying means also contiguous to sides of the straight outgoingcourse of the form blocks for retaining said end portions in infolded positions while the glue sets, means carried by the form blocks operative to discharge formed boxes from the form blocks when the latter are disposed in separated relation, and means located in the path of movement of said form blocks for actuating said discharge means.

4. In a machine of the character described, a multiplicity of form blocks, means to pivotally interconnect said form blocks one with another whereby to form an endless chain assembly thereof, means to support and drive said endless chain assembly of form block for continuous movement through a circulatory path defined by a straight outgoing course and a straight return course, said courses being connected at their ends by semicircular courses leading from one said straight course to the other, the .pivotal connections between said form blocks being such that adjacent form blocks close together in box material gripping relation as they enter and move through said straight courses but separate one from another when moving through said semi-circular courses, means to position box blanks for engagement by and deposit upon separated form blocks prior to movement of the latter into the straight outgoing course thereof, means contiguous to the tions, driven belts beyond said folding and glue applying means having courses thereof contiguous to sides of and moving with the straight outgoing course of the form blanks for retaining said end portions in folded condition while the glue is setting, and similar driven belts for like purpose contiguous to sides of and moving with the straight return course of the form blanks.

5. In a machine of the character described, a multiplicity of form blocks, means to pivotally interconnect said form blocks one with another whereby to form an endless chain assembly thereof, means to support and drive said endless chain assembly of form blocks for continuous movement through a circulatory path defined by a straight outgoing course and a straight return course, said courses being connected at their ends by semi-circular courses leading from one said straight course to the other, the pivotal connections between said form blocks being such that adjacent form blocks close together in box ma-' terial gripping relation as they enter and move through said straight courses but separate one from another when moving through said semicircular courses, means to position box blanks forengagement by and deposit upon separated form blocks prior to movement of the latter into the straight outgoing course thereof, means contiguous to the ends of the form blocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereof, operative to infold projecting end portions of the box' blanks about the form block ends, means for applying glue to one of said end portions for adhering the same, when infolded, to other infolded end portions, driven belts beyond said folding and glue applying means having courses thereof contiguous to sides of and moving with the straight outgoing course of the form blanks for retaining said end portions in folded condition while the glue is setting, similar driven belts for like purpose contiguous to sides of and moving with the straight return course of the form blanks, means carried by the form blocks operative to discharge formed boxes from the form'- turn course, a magazine for holding a stack of collapsed box blanks, and means opposed to op"- posite sides of the magazine for successively with-' drawing box blanks from the magazine and open-' ing and advancing the same to a position for engagement by and deposit on a form block approaching the straight outgoing course of form block movement, said means comprising pickup" carrier devices each in the form of a horiozntal body having an undercut wedge shaped forward tip portion, and means "to move said device'sassumesf3 through* a; circular orbit in a-plane' substantially parallel to the" plane -of the b'lank to "'be 'withdrawn while 'maintainingthedungitudinah axes ofsaid devices 'perperidicular to the' c'iire'ction -izof blank withdrawing movement, said means-to move said devices imparting thereto a. composite movement including "inward-movement to engage the same "wi-thppposite" ends of" a collapsed bot tomemo'st" box-blank" in the magazine, advancing movemcnt 'to withdraw the'boxblank f rom' the' magazine and to :open" andcarry the same into position for-engagementby a formblockrand cutward' movement for withdrawingthe" samirom the-engaged box blank in time with the-*take-up or "the latter by said form "block:

"7*. In a machineof the-kind described as defined incla-im 6 including guide meansexterid-ing between the magazine and thereceiving eiid of theendless-chain assemblwof" form blocks-, said guide means being adapted' -to 'hold*box "bianks carried by the pick-up" carrier devices againsfidiscarried by the pickup carri'er'devices against displacement from aligned relation to the straight outgoing course a i of form block movement, and means alsoextending between the-magazine and the receivingend of-the- 'endless chain assembly of form blocks operative to hold down box blanks moved from the former to the latter against upward displacement.

9. In a machine of the kind described as delined in claim 6 wherein the tip portion of the body of each pickup carrier device is of narrowed width bounded by a longitudinally straight forward side edge and an outwardly and rearwardly inclined rearward side edge, and the, body of the device back of said tip portion having a forwardly and downwardly inclined front face and a rearwardly and downwardly inclined back face.

10. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 6 wherein the tip portion of the body of each pickup carrier device is of narrowed width bounded by a longitudinally straight forward side edge and an outwardly and rearwardly inclined rearward side edge, the body of the device back of said tip portion having a forwardly and downwardly inclined front face and a. rearwardly and downwardly inclined back face, and a box blank engaging clip mounted on the front face of the body.

11. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 6 wherein the tip portion of the body of each pickup carrier device is of narrowed width bounded by a longitudinally straight forward side edge and an outwardly and rearwardly inclined rearward side edge, the body of the device back of said tip portion havinga forwardly and downwardly inclined front face and a rearwardly and downwardly inclined back face, and a forward and inwardly projecting folder blade mounted on the front face of the body.

12. In a device of the kind described as defined in claim 6 wherein the tip portion of the body of each pickup carrier device is of narrowed width bounded by a longitudinally straight forward side edge and an outwardly and rearwardly inclined rearward side edge, the body of the device back of said tip portion having a forwardly and down= 1 4 wardly inclined front face arid a' reanwardlyi; downwardly inclined back face, a box-blanksen-x gaging 'clipxmountedon the front "face" of the. body, and a forwardly and inwardly projecting folder blade also mounte'don 1 the front face of: the body;

' 13."In a machine of 'the character described,

a multiplicityof form blocks,-=means to pivotally interconnectsaid form blocks one with another whereby --to form" an endless i chain assembly thereof, means to sup-port and drive said. endless chain assembly of form blocks "foncontinuous movement through a circulatory path defined by a straight outgoing course and a return course; said courses being connected at their endsby semi -circular courses leading from one to the other" thereof, the pivotal connectionsbetriveen said form blocks being such that" adjacent form blocks close together box" blank material gripping relation-as theyenter and move through said straightoutgoing course butseparate one from another when they move" through a semicircuiar course leading to" said outgoing-"course, a='magazine"for holding a stack of longitudinally folded box blanks, driven turntables mounted adjacent to opposite sides of thema'gazine, pickup carriers having supporting shafts journaled the turntables; each pickupcarrier' comprisinga horizontal'bddy having a-n undercut-wedgeshaped tip portion, and -means. to rotate said pickup carrier" bodies about the axes 6f 'their shafts whereby to maintain the same" perpendieular j to the direction or movement of the straight outgoing cou-rse of iorm blocks, saidpicln-iprcarrier bodies, as moved in circular orbit by the turntables, having a motion cycle comprising inward movement to enter the same in opposite ends of a bottommost folded box blank in the magazine so as to spread apart the folded portions thereof, advancing movement to withdraw said box blank from the magazine and carry the same into position for deposit on and over the sides of a separated form block about to enter the straight outgoing course of form block movement, and outward movement for withdrawing the same from the engaged box blank in time with the take-up of the latter by said form block.

14. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 13 including guide means extending between the magazine and the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks, said guide means being adapted to hold box blanks carried by the pickup carriers against displace- 'ment from aligned relation to the straight outgoing course of form block movement, and means also extending between the magazine and the receiving end of the endless chain assembly of form blocks operative to hold down box blanks moved from the former to the latter against upward displacement.

15, In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 13 including means contiguous to the ends of the form blocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereof, operative to infold projecting end portions of box blanks about the form block ends, means for applying glue to one of said end portions for adhering the same, when infolded, to other infolded end portions, and means beyond said folding and glue applying means for retaining said end portions in infolded positions while the glue sets.

16. In a machine of the kind described as defined in claim 13 including means contiguous to the ends of the form blocks, as they move in the straight outgoing course thereof, operative to infold projecting end portions of box blanks about the form block ends, means for applying glue to one of said end portions for adhering the same, when infolded, to other infolded end portions, driving belts beyond said folding and glue applying means having courses running contiguous. to the ends of the form blocks, as moved through their straight courses, for retaining said end porlevers normally flush with the top of the form block, said levers having bell-crank arms projectlng from the bottom of the form block, raceway means within and parallel to the circuit of the endless chain assembly of form blocks adapted to engage said bell-crank arms whereby to control the kickoff levers, and said raceway means including a cam block adapted to oscillate said bell-crank arms to effect discharge movement of the kickofi levers, said cam block being so located in the raceway means as to actuate the 30 kickoif levers at a time when the form block is separated from its fellows.

18. In a machine of the kind described, an endless chain assembly of form blocks, means to support and drive said assembly in a circulatory path, and means opposed to a side of the magazine for successively withdrawing box blanks from the magazine and advancing the withdrawn blank for deposit on a form block, said means comprising a pickup carrier device formed by a horizontal body having an undercut wedge shaped forward tip portion, means to move said devicethrou-gh a circular orbit in plane substantially parallel to the plane of the blank to be withdrawn while maintaining the longitudinal axes of said device perpendicular to the direction of blank withdrawing movement, said means to move the device imparting thereto a composite movement including inward movement to engage the same with the blank to be withdrawn, advancing movement to withdraw the engaged blank and open and carry the same into position for engagement by a form block, and outward movement for withdrawing the same from the advanced blank in time with the take up of the latter by the form block.

- 1 WILLIAM B. LEAVENS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED Ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,332,196 Bevier Mar. 2, 1920 1,791,963 Howard et al Feb. 10, 1931 2,125,430 Dietmann Aug. 2, 1938 

